Arts and Business Council of New York

Developing Creative Partnerships between NYC’s Arts and Business Communities

The mission of the Arts & Business Council of New York (ABC/NY) is to develop creative partnerships between the arts and business communities in New York that both enhance the business skills of the arts sector and promote creative engagement within the business sector.

Programs of ABC/NY

For more than 40 years, ABC/NY has connected the arts and business communities in New York City through challenging projects and opportunitites that increase creativity among the business sector and stregthen the arts.

Businesses are using the arts to inspire employees, stimulate innovation, and foster creative collaboration. ABC/NY works with a wide variety of corporations and firms to offer a menu of opportunities for employee engagement with the arts. ABC/NY can provide both individual (skills-based) and team volunteer opportunities, as well as special projects such as arts volunteer fairs, workshops, and volunteer and board training. Get involved today!

The Arts & Business Council of New York’s Diversity in Arts Leadership internship program strives to strengthen and advance diversity in the arts management field and provides college students working towards careers in the arts or business sectors with a hands-on introduction to arts nonprofits in New York City. The Arts & Business Council of New York matches undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds with energetic host arts organizations and business mentors, who guide the students’ personal and professional growth throughout the summer.

Students selected to participate in DIAL become integral members of the arts organizations in which they are placed and engage with DIAL alumni and the staff of both the Arts & Business Council of New York and Americans for the Arts, as well as attend a wide array of cultural events in New York City. Students gain invaluable exposure to dynamic leaders across a variety of arts disciplines and businesses and participate in professional activities and projects that prepare each one for his or her career, better equipped to enter the workforce as a diverse and creative future leader.

Emerging Leaders of New York Arts (ELNYA) is the New York branch of a national Emerging Leaders Network facilitated by Americans for the Arts. ELNYA provides young professionals in the first decade of their careers with opportunities to develop the contacts, skills, and knowledge they need to advance to senior leadership positions.

This peer-managed program offers social, professional development, and networking events such as panel discussions called Creative Conversations, networking happy hours, and a culture club for moderated group outings to cultural events.

The History of ABC/NY

The Arts & Business Council was created in 1965 by a group of business leaders from the New York Board of Trade, with the purpose of creating closer ties between business and the arts. Arts membership was started in 1970, and the organization was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1973.

The Business Volunteers for the Arts program was launched in 1975 and, with assistance from the Rockefeller Foundation, replicated across the country.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, the Arts & Business Council expanded its affiliation with like organizations in other cities and started the National Arts Marketing Project.

In 2005, the Arts & Business Council merged with the national organization Americans for the Arts; national affiliates are now coordinated by the Private Sector Affairs department of Americans for the Arts.

Together, arts and business strengthen the leadership—staff and volunteer—of New York’s cultural treasures of every discipline and every size.

Together, arts and business excite and energize existing work forces and can guide young men and women to join in fulfilling careers.

Together, arts and business build capacity and effect New York’s economic growth.

News

ABC/NY has announced the commencement—and new name—of the Diversity in Arts Leadership internship program. The distinguished summer program places 12 students at host arts organizations throughout New York City. ABC/NY matches students with host arts organizations and business mentors, who guide the students’ personal and professional growth throughout the summer.

The new Whitney Museum, which opens to the public in New York City this week, has built a multifaceted partnership with automotive sponsor, Audi. For Audi, the partnership continues a longstanding tradition of championing the arts and forging relationships fueled by creativity and forward thinking.

In his State of the City address on Tuesday New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced plans to create 1,500 affordable living spaces and 500 affordable workspaces for artists across the city, according to the New York Times.

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Who We Are

Americans for the Arts serves, advances, and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America. Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.